As Zhang introduced when interviewing the reporter, the new-generation carrier rocket that China is set on research and manufacture features tremendous propelling power, high reliability, low cost and non-toxin and non-pollution. The new-generation rocket series consists of three models plus the present technology. It can be assembled into a different combination according to the varied demands for launching different types of satellites, thereby forming a serial, universally applicable and combined new rocket family. The rocket propellants are the non-poison and non-pollution liquified hydrogen, oxygen and liquified oxygen kerosene.

The superiority of the new-generation carrier rocket also lies in the principle of design, namely the three-in-one combination of forming into series, universal application and free composition, thereby reducing the cost for the research of one satellite to match with one rocket. The scaled and integrated production has helped reduce the production cost to a great extent as compared to the multifarious and small-scaled production. The simplified ground installation is good for reducing the time of preparation before the launching.

The "Long March Carrier Rocket" series turned out by China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation have witnessed 12 successful launchings during the recent three years, which carried 13 satellites and 3 spaceships into the orbit, and it also boasts of a record of 25 successful launchings ever since 1996.

In the three years to come China is going to blast off about 20 satellites.

As Zhang Qingwei announced China is going to send into space about 20 satellites in a time of three years to come.

As Zhang introduced China has now a total of 9 satellites travelling in the space and it has a plan to launch over 30 satellites during the "Tenth Five Year Plan" period and it is going to see about 20 satellites to be blasted off during the 3 years ahead.

Along with the development of China's aerospace navigation China's needs for various kinds of satellites are on the increase. In August 2001, the "Dongfanghong Satellite Co. Ltd of China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation was set up and it is possible for the company to turn out 8 to 10 mini-satellites a year, thereby catering to the increasing needs in society for the satellites.

In the meantime, the successful launchings of China-Pakistani resources satellite, meteorological satellite, maritime satellite and satellite for scientific and technological experimentation one after another have indicated that China has by and large formed a satellite operational system for a long and stable observation over the land.

China has already realized a transition from the satellite research and manufacture to the commercialization, expressed Zhang Qingwei. China is now full speed ahead on the research and manufacture of the first generation satellite for civil use, such as for direct TV transmission and telecasting, and China has also scored substantial progress on a number of key technologies for huge-volume, long-life and highly reliable satellite platform.

(People's Daily August 16, 2002)